The Hilt, Chandler's Ford, Hampshire

Type of works: supply and installation of a Stannah Midilift vertical platform lift in community centre.

At The Hilt community centre in the Hiltingbury area of Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire everyone is free to use all facilities, thanks to a Stannah lift.

The Midilift vertical platform lift makes all the difference to being able to welcome all members of the community and has helped the building managers meet all their local authority requirements for a community building.

Keith Hatch, The Hilt Centre Manager explains, "Including a lift in our brand new 2-storey building was essential to enable us to have an inclusive policy, welcoming all the community. Our Stannah lift meant we passed our accessibility assessment by Eastleigh Borough Council with flying colours. Our youth meetings take place in ‘The Loft’ and the lift has enabled us to run additional sessions for disabled and disadvantaged groups. We just couldn’t give our visitors freedom of movement without the lift."

The Stannah Midilift simply moves between the two floors. The platform is large enough to accommodate wheelchair users comfortably and its ease of use ensures the venue’s inclusive policy really does deliver.

The Hilt is an impressive facility that really is the result of community spirit.

The Hiltingbury Community Association was formed with the aim of bringing the heart back into the community by providing a centre for Hiltingbury community events. The HCA was formed in 1996 and has been responsible for organising the annual Hiltingbury Extravaganza on the local recreation ground. With the growing success of this event year-on-year, it was proposed that a permanent centre should be built to provide a focal point for the community.

The Centre boasts two large ground floor halls, ideal for sport and dance classes or private parties, and a smaller meeting room in constant demand by local groups. Upstairs is The Loft – a dedicated area for youth meetings, workshops and training. With a backdrop of the Hiltingbury recreation ground it’s an ideal space to meet.

The Hilt community centre was officially opened by Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, in early May.